England vs New Zealand: New Zealand in control despite Anderson's 300

After their dismal show in New Zealand, Alastair Cook could have hoped for a better batting performance. Cook, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Matt Prior did not make impact with the bat as they were dismissed rather cheaply.

Cook’s batting was not good as before in the recent Test matches. He was struggling for momentum. The wicket was aiding fast bowlers on Day 1. He together with Nick Compton, provided a good start for England on Day 1, but couldn’t capitalize on the start as England kept losing wickets regularly.  After the wicket of Compton and Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell steadied the ship for England. But when Trott looked in great touch, he was removed by Trent Boult.

Joe Root, who had an outstanding County Championship season batted reasonably well under seaming conditions. Though he was not scoring at a brisk rate, he gave majority of the strike to Ian Bell. Ian Bell handled the New Zealand bowlers brilliantly. He respected their strike bowlers and attacked the spinners. However, he failed to convert his start into a meaningful innings as he was removed by Tim Southee just before the stumps on Day 1. Yet again, Jonny Bairstow replicated the performance that he showed against Sussex in the County Championship match. He has been the reliable batsman for England in the middle order. But he was not receiving support from the other end as he was losing his partners regularly.

Root was dismissed by Southee for 40 on Day 2. Matt Prior had a significant task at hand as the ball was swinging both ways. Therefore, his job was to combat the swing till the first session. But he was trapped in front off the first ball from Tim Southee and did not make impact with the bat. Stuart Broad, Steve Finn and James Anderson failed to resist the swing as England were bundled out for 232 in the first innings. Bairstow fought hard, but he was eventually caught and bowled off Tim Southee.

The wicket at Lords was aiding seamers. England had two high-quality fast bowlers in the form of Anderson and Stuart Broad to make use of the conditions. That’s exactly what happened as Anderson struck twice with the new-ball. He was getting extra-bit of bounce from the wicket. Steve Finn was hitting the deck and hence the Black Caps found it difficult to accelerate.

But New Zealand gathered momentum when Taylor counter-attacked the English bowlers. Taylor and Williamson constantly maintained the pressure on the New Zealand fielders. Taylor scored a brilliant half-century before getting dismissed off James Anderson.  McCullum and Williamson survived the last-hour of the day as New Zealand ended the day on 153/4.

New Zealand are in a good position. But these two will play an important role in the first innings. It will be interesting to see the strategy of Alastair Cook as the sun is expected to come on Day 3. Graeme Swann will be the key protagonist for England on Day 3. He could get turn if he pitches on the rough patches. Therefore, it will be an interesting contest on Day 3.